New Zealand in thrilling Test victory over Australia
New Zealand recorded their first Test victory in Australia for 26 years with a thrilling seven-run win in Hobart, to draw the two-match series 1-1.
It was only their third Test victory in 28 matches on Australian soil.
The Australians resumed on day four needing only 169 more runs with all 10 wickets intact, but lost Phil Hughes in the second over of the morning.
Seamer Doug Bracewell took 6-40 as Aussie opener David Warner carried his bat for a maiden Test century.
Left-hander Warner, previously thought to be a Twenty20 specialist, was playing in only his second Test, and after adding 72 with Hughes he put on another 50 with Usman Khawaja (23) to leave Australia in relative command at 122-1.
But Bracewell, the nephew of former New Zealand spinner and coach John Bracewell and himself playing in only his third Test, turned the game.
He had Ricky Ponting caught at extra cover, and in his next over, with the score still on 159, dismissed Australia captain Michael Clarke and obdurate middle-order batsman Mike Hussey with successive deliveries.
Clarke was caught at first slip while Hussey departed via video referral, after umpire Asad Rauf had originally rejected the appeal for lbw.
Tim Southee and Bracewell took two wickets each in two overs to leave the Australians on the brink of defeat at 199-9.
Man of the match Warner and last man Nathan Lyon added 34 inside eight overs but Bracewell nipped one back off the seam to breach Lyon's defences and signal the start of the celebrations for the Kiwis.
"We believed in ourselves that we could win this match, we knew we had to fight, we knew we had to play a lot better than we did in Brisbane," New Zealand skipper Ross Taylor said, referring to the team's nine-wicket defeat in the first match of the series.
Counterpart Michael Clarke was critical of his batsmen and said: "Obviously disappointed, no doubt.
"The way we played in Brisbane was outstanding and I thought we were pretty inconsistent throughout this Test match.
"I want to pay credit to David Warner for his first Test century and also to Nathan Lyon for the way he hung in there.
"I think if a few of us batters had shown the character and courage he showed, we wouldn't be standing here with the same result."
Paul trade talks back on with Clippers
The Chris Paul trade show continued anew on Monday night, when a source confirmed an ESPN.com report that the Hornets and Clippers re-engaged in discussions to send the four-time All-Star point guard to L.A. It was the latest revelation in a wild day for the Clippers, who matched a four-year, $43 million offer sheet from Golden State for center DeAndre Jordan and picked up veteran point guard Chauncey Billups via the league's new amnesty waiver wire.
The renewed discussions come just hours after a proposed deal fell apart because, according to sources, the NBA's asking price for Paul was simply too steep.
The dynamics of a possible deal have clearly changed now, with one source close to the situation saying the league has taken over almost all negotiations while Hornets general manager Dell Demps has been relegated to a minimal role. The ripple effect around the league could be great, as teams steadily grow wary of dealing with the Hornets and many executives become convinced the league won't deal fairly.
SI.com reported Monday that the deal was in the "final stages" of completion after the teams re-engaged in discussions Sunday afternoon. The Los Angeles Times first reported Sunday night that the near deal would give the Hornets second-year Clippers guard Eric Bledsoe, veteran center Chris Kaman, second-year forward Al-Farouq Aminu and the Clippers' unprotected 2012 first-round draft pick that they received from Minnesota. One source close to the talks, however, told SI.com that shooting guard Eric Gordon could be part of the deal as well.
A source close to Bledsoe said late that night that he was under the impression a deal had been agreed upon and that he would likely be traded to the Hornets. When reached by phone late Sunday and asked if an agreement in principle had been reached, Clippers president Andy Roeser declined comment to SI.com.
The proposed deal was submitted to the league's front office for approval Monday morning. In any other case, it would have been a mere formality that the deal be presented to the team's owner. But having commissioner David Stern as the Hornets' de facto owner added a strange twist to the story, especially after the NBA vetoed the team's first attempt at dealing Paul, to the Lakers.
Paul is known to be open to joining the Clippers long-term, but the supporting cast was likely taken into consideration when engaging in discussions with a franchise that has been a laughingstock for so long. While reigning Rookie of the Year Blake Griffin is the centerpiece of the team's new core, Gordon -- whom the Clippers did not want to give up when the two teams talked last week, according to the L.A. Times -- and restricted free agent center Jordan are also key components.
On Sunday, Jordan signed a four-year, $43 million offer sheet from Golden State, giving the Clippers three days to match the offer. SI.com confirmed Monday evening that the Clippers matched the offer and retained their center.
Also on Monday, Billups became the first player to be won off amnesty waivers under the new collective bargaining agreement. Billups was waived by the Knicks on Sunday with the new amnesty provision, giving teams under the salary cap the chance to bid for services. The Clippers won the bidding at $2 million, meaning they'll pay only that portion of his $14.2 million salary this season while the Knicks foot the rest. Under the amnesty rules, Billups can't be traded before July 1, so the Clippers can't use him as bait in a deal for Paul.
Source-sportsillustrated
Magic CEO meets with Howard
The relationship between Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic appears to be improving - at least a bit.
Magic chief executive officer Alex Martins said he sat down with the All-Star center Monday morning, a day after Howard said he hadn't spoken to general manager Otis Smith since asking the team to be traded,.
Martins said he remains confident things still can be done to convince Howard that Orlando can build a championship team.
"We have to continue to do what's right for this organization to win a championship and the first piece of that is keeping Dwight," Martins said at the team's annual media day. "And we're doing everything we can to ensure that we do that. All I would say from a fan's standpoint is I believe, I want them to believe and I think we need to continue to show Dwight that we do want him here. ... Our fans need to make sure that we show him the love."
Then, after speaking at length for two straight days about all that was wrong with management, Howard said that the door remains open for him to re-sign.
"As of a right now, I have on a Magic uniform. ... If it's meant for me to stay here, then I'll stay," Howard said. "I love this city and there's no place I'd rather be than Orlando. I just want to make sure that we have the right things here so we can win a championship. And I'm all about change. If you're willing to change and willing do what it takes to win, then you've got me.
"You only get one time around the track. There's no reset button. You don't want to miss out on any opportunity to win," Howard added. "You gotta do what it takes to win."
Howard can opt out of his current contract in July 2012. Smith has previously given his agent, Dan Fegan, permission to speak with New Jersey, Dallas and the Los Angeles Lakers about possible trades.
Martins said that despite Howard's claim Sunday that none of his input has been taken into account by management in regards to what changes he'd like to see the Magic make, that the trade for Boston big man Glen "Big Baby" Davis was one they did do.
"It's a conversation," Martins said. "It's not a be all, end all. And I do think that Dwight's input is important and we're gonna continue to solicit Dwight's input. But, the final decisions rest on Otis. Otis is the head of this basketball operation. And he is the only one that knows how all the pieces will fit together properly. And he can solicit input from anyone and he will solicit input.
"But at the end of the day, it's Otis' decision to make," he said.
A trade of forward Brandon Bass for Davis and guard Von Wafer was officially announced Monday afternoon, a few hours after both took pictures in their new Magic uniforms. Shooting guard Jason Richardson, who was an unrestricted free-agent, also re-signed.
Davis, who played against Howard on the AAU circuit growing up and opposite him in the 2004 McDonald's All-American Game, said he understands the kind of passion Howard has in this situation.
"We've talked and I understand where he's coming from," Davis said.
Asked if he thinks he can talk Howard into staying, Davis was jokingly optimistic.
"Probably can," he said. "I'll probably have crumpets and tea tomorrow and hopefully talk things out and see what's up."
AP
Aussies different to Windies warns Gambhir
While expressing happiness over India’s 4-1 series win against the West Indies here on Sunday, stand-in captain Gautam Gambhir cautioned that the forthcoming tour of Australia would be a “different ball game” that will put to test both the technique and mental toughness of the players. “It always helps to get runs under your belt, but in Australia, those are different conditions,” said Gambhir, who led India to a 34-run win over West Indies in the fifth and final One-Day International. “We all know this is not what we are going to get in Australia. The Australians are tough nuts to crack and will come hard at us. “In Australia, your mental toughness will be tested the maximum.
You will be getting a quality attack and they will be coming hard at you. I think one good thing is the guys that have gone early [to Australia] will be able to acclimatise [to the conditions]. And we’re playing two practice games this time.” India are the reigning World champions while West Indies are ranked number eight in the ICC one-day grid. Gambhir also sought to play down his captaincy record of six wins out of six by saying that he was only as good as the teams he had. “I’ll stick to the saying that the captain is as good as his team. One captain can’t win you the game; it is still 11 people on the park,” he pointed out. “I am lucky to have such teammates, during the series against New Zealand, I was lucky to have Yuvraj Singh. Today the team-mates stood up and delivered.”
Pollard's 119 Falls Short
Kieron Pollard lashed a sensational maiden one-day international century but West Indies crashed to a 34-run defeat to India in the fifth and final game here yesterday.
The big-hitting Trinidadian, who had gone 46 innings without a triple figure score, ended his drought by pummelling a boundary-filled 119 from 110 balls to put the Windies within sight of victory.
However, their target of 268 proved too much in the end and they were bowled out for 233 in the 45th over, as India won the series 4-1.
Manoj Tiwary had earlier put India on their way with a superb 104, a knock that hauled the hosts out of a hole in the first over where they rocked precariously at one run for two wickets.
Pacer Kemar Roach (2-46) removed opener Ajinkya Rahane and Parthiv Patel without scoring to the second and third balls of the innings, to leave the Windies on top.
Partnerships
However, Tiwary inspired two partnerships to instigate India's recovery, putting on 83 for the third wicket with captain Gautam Gambhir (31) and a further 117 for the fourth wicket with Virat Kohli whose 80 required just 85 balls.
Seamers Abhimanyu Mithun (2-32) and Irfan Pathan (2-42) then wiped out the West Indies top order, to lay waste the innings at 36 for five in the 10th over.
In-form opener Lendl Simmons fell to the first ball of the innings, lbw on the backfoot to left-armer Pathan, and his opening partner Kieran Powell stroked three fours in 15 before also playing back to Pathan and going bowled off the inside edge at 23 for two in the fifth over.
Marlon Samuels was controversially adjudged caught at the wicket for six off Mithun, a decision given by umpire Sudhir Asnani even before the bowler had appealed.
When debutant Jason Mohammed played across to Mithun and was lbw for two in the 10th over, West Indies needed something special and they found it in Pollard.
The right-hander first added 42 off 37 balls for the fifth wicket with Denesh Ramdin (14) but when the wicketkeeper became the first of left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja's (3-62) three wickets starting in the 16th over, Pollard took matters into his own hands.
Four fours
Striking the ball cleanly and with astonishing ease, he counted four fours and 10 massive sixes, to leave the MA Chidambaram Stadium in awe.
He reached his half-century off 43 balls by hitting Jadeja straight for his fourth six and then brought up his first ever ODI century with a four in fortuitous circumstances, when Kohli dropped a simple chance at long-off leg-spinner Rahul Sharma, and the ball crossed the ropes.
Along the way, Pollard shared 89 for the sixth wicket with all-rounder Andre Russell who belted five fours and three sixes in a marvellous 42-ball 53.
Together, they threatened to uncork a Windies win but Russell was eventually run out in the 29th over by a direct hit from Gambhir at short third man, sparking a decline which saw the last five wickets tumble for 66 runs.
Pollard was last out, drilling off-spinner Suresh Raina down the throat of Rahane at long-off, to end a scintillating innings.
Earlier, it was Tiwary who put India back on course after Roach's two early strikes. Rahane was lbw on the back foot to one that kept low, while Patel played on next ball.
The right-handed Tiwary then stroked 10 fours and a six off 126 balls with support from Kohli who hit five fours.
Bahamas PM explains housing minister's firing
Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham explained on Sunday that he fired housing minister Kenneth Russell from his Cabinet on Friday because he acted inappropriately as it relates to a development that was being proposed for East Grand Bahama.
Ingraham spoke to hundreds of jubilant Free National Movement (FNM) supporters, who packed Christ the King Anglican Church hall in Freeport to hear him explain why he fired the housing minister.
“I assure you, I did what any prime minister who is worth his salt would do to a minister who acts in a manner inconsistent with Cabinet and the government of The Bahamas,” Ingraham said.
“There is nothing personal about it. It is what had to be done.”
Russell sat in the front row as Ingraham spoke of the series of events that climaxed with the firing.
Both Ingraham and Russell were greeted by thunderous applause.
“The party I lead is always in search of new and additional talent to add to our team. That’s the purpose of the party, to renew itself. No man is an island and no man can claim to be in office forever,” Ingraham said.
“Some time ago, I delegated to my deputy, [Brent] Symonette, to go and speak with Ken Russell, and tell Ken it’s suggested that he step aside as a candidate in the next election.
“Brent brought me back a very profane message from Ken. I said, ‘Well, I got to belt this cat myself.’ And by cat, I don’t mean derogatory. I mean it’s a job I got to do myself.
“I did that job myself. I told Ken, who is here with us today, that after the next election, if we are successful, as I expect we will [be], I don’t intend to put you back in the Cabinet, and I suggest that you step aside, so we can nominate somebody else.
“I made an offer as to what would happen for him if he did that. He told me he’s going to get back to me next week.”
Ingraham further explained that at a recent meeting in Grand Bahama, Elkinah Pinder (a long-time friend of Kenneth Russell and a trustee of the High Rock Branch of the FNM) started talking about the proposed East End project.
“This matter was considered by the government of The Bahamas on four separate occasions, and we determined on each occasion at the end of it that we could not and would not support this project,” Ingraham said.
“In fact, we will love to have a project like that or any kind of project in Grand Bahama or in The Bahamas, but we also want to do things that we think make sense and not everyone who comes along and says he has done something is somebody who we could trust.”
The prime minister continued: “I asked Elkinah in the meeting, ‘What project are you talking about?’ He then handed the [microphone] to Ken. He told Ken, ‘Go ahead.’ Ken described the project. I spoke some words afterwards.”
Ingraham said he saw Russell days later and told him, “The offer I made to you last week is hereby withdrawn because if it wasn’t so near to the election, I would fire you for what you did.”
The prime minister said: “He explained himself. That didn’t change my view. Subsequent to that, you would have seen in the newspapers, you would have listened to the radio and you would have heard the television.”
In the interviews to which Ingraham referred, Russell said the FNM would lose hundreds, if not thousands of votes if he is not re-nominated.
Ingraham said when he met with Russell on Friday he asked him for his resignation. Russell refused, and the prime minister fired him.
“I have nothing against him, notwithstanding what he says about me,” said Ingraham, adding that he was hurt that Russell called him a tyrant.
“He has been my friend, is still my friend. I don’t intend to lift a finger against him. I am bigger than that.”
Ingraham said constituencies in Grand Bahama, like other constituencies, are important to the FNM.
He said it is important for the party to continue to bring in new talent.
“We want in this election to put forward to the Bahamian people the best team that we can,” he reiterated.
“In order to do that, some of our members who are now in the House are going to retire. Some of them will of their own volition. Some are going to be asked not to run again.
“I do not expect to have another FNM MP behave as Ken did when they are asked that question. And I say that with great confidence.”
Ingraham asked Grand Bahamians to continue to support the FNM.
“We are the best party for Grand Bahama, the best party for The Bahamas,” said Ingraham, adding that the PLP administration’s footprint is nowhere in Grand Bahama.
“We never claimed to be perfect. But the evidence of our goodness in Grand Bahama can be seen, felt and touched.”
He added, “In the next election, the choice is going to be very simple: PLP or FNM; Hubert Ingraham or Perry Christie to be prime minister.
“Never mind all this noise in the market and all these other things. It’s going to be PLP or FNM. FNM or PLP. And everything in the middle will get crushed up.”
Earlier in the day, Ingraham met privately with FNMs from the High Rock constituency and asked them to send in the names of two people who could be considered to run in the new East Grand Bahama constituency.
Russell reacts
Russell was not at the earlier meeting, which was held at Pelican Bay.
After the meeting at Christ the King, Russell made it clear that he did not have discussions with Pinder regarding a matter discussed in Cabinet.
“I don’t know how I feel about the matter that led to my firing because I did not speak to anybody about the project,” Russell told The Nassau Guardian.
“The gentleman (Elkinah Pinder) who he (Ingraham) spoke about, has met with the people who want to do the project for the past year, so I didn’t speak to [anybody] about the project; [I didn’t talk] out of Cabinet.”
Russell said Pinder knew as much about the project as him given all the meetings he had with the parties concerned.
“It had nothing to do with [leaking any information out of] Cabinet,” Russell insisted. “Nothing at all.”
Russell also stood by his comments that Ingraham had acted like a tyrant, but indicated that he is pleased that the selection of a candidate for the new East Grand Bahama constituency will be handled in a democratic way.
“I am pleased with the fact that the prime minister has changed the method of selecting candidates,” the High Rock MP said.
“As I have said from jump street, if you are selecting candidates in a democratic way, I have no problem with that. So if he is telling the branch that they must send at least two persons’ names in for selection, I’ve got no problem with that.
“What it will mean is that the final decision will still be made at the council level…It will give everybody who wants to run an opportunity to put their name in.
“That is not what we were told last week. We were told last week that a team will select the candidates and they will bring them to us and either we like them or we don’t like them.”
Russell said he knows that if the branch submits his name as one of the two names, he would not be selected.
“But at least the branch will have an opportunity to put in names to select the candidates and that’s the democratic process that I was fighting for, for the past week.”
He said he had not yet made a decision about whether he would still run, even if it’s not on the FNM’s ticket.
Russell added that in the past he defended Ingraham when people called him names.
“I thought he was the greatest democrat in the world and unfortunately this incident (the matter related to the selection of candidates) just changed my mind,” the former minister said.
“Now tonight he’s gone back to saying the branch will have an opportunity to select candidates.”
Russell said the FNM must offer hope to Grand Bahamians ahead of the next general election.
“The FNM in Grand Bahama is still very strong,” Russell said.
Courtesy of Nassau Guardian
IMF says St Kitts-Nevis meets quantitative performance targets
The Washington-based International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reported that all quantitative performance targets appear to have been met by St Kitts and Nevis despite continued weakness in real output growth in its assessment of the stand-by arrangement (SBA).
Alfred Schipke, head of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff mission to St Kitts and Nevis, led an IMF Team that reviewed the ongoing macroeconomic and structural policies and also assessed the performance of the program’s quantitative targets at the end-September 2011.
In a statement issued at the end of a press conference, Schipke said the revenue enhancement measures implemented last year continue to yield increased tax receipts in line with program expectations at the time of the SBA approval. The authorities have also restrained expenditure growth in order to meet the program target for the overall fiscal balance.
He said significant progress has been made on the structural reform agenda that aims to strengthen revenue collection and Treasury management to improve budget performance, enhances financial regulation and supervision, and supports the debt restructuring.
“The legislation to facilitate the corporatization of the electricity department has been passed resulting in the establishment of the St Kitts Electricity Corporation, which is expected to cover its costs. At the same time, progress has been made in discussions with both external and domestic creditors over the terms on which the public debt, which remains unsustainable, will be restructured. Possible scenarios for the restructuring of the external debt have been discussed with creditors and discussions on a framework for the dealing with domestic creditors are advancing. As the government has previously indicated, Treasury Bills will be excluded from the debt restructuring exercise. Meanwhile, the registration and valuation of the first 600 acres of land, which are part of proposed debt-land swap, is expected to be completed before the end of this year,” said Schipke.
“The mission and the authorities have agreed on a draft letter of intent that incorporates the policies to be presented in the 2012 Budget to continue the Government’s home grown fiscal consolidation program, and reconfirms the structural benchmarks for 2012. These include, among others, the drafting and enactment of new procurement legislation, development of a medium term expenditure framework, and strengthening of social safety nets. Based on these actions and on the fiscal performance, the mission would recommend to the IMF Executive Board completion of the first review under the SBA. The IMF Board is expected to discuss the first review at the end of January 2012,” said the IMF official.
Schipke said the authorities remain firmly committed to the program’s policies and objectives, and recognize the benefits of strong macroeconomic policies in achieving the goals of their economic program.
He said the government is aware that there are still many challenges ahead, including the impact of the protracted global recovery and volatility in world financial markets on domestic economic activity, elevated food and fuel prices, and the ever-present threat of natural disasters.
“Despite the strong performance in 2011, and given the weakened global environment, the fiscal situation continues to be constrained. Continued implementation of the program, including the execution of comprehensive debt restructuring agreements with creditors, will help establish the conditions for strong economic growth and employment to improve the living standards of all citizens,” Schipke said in the statement.
CUOPM
Health Minister wants to lift media ban in TNT
Reports of bad attitudes and problems at health facilities have prompted Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan to reconsider lifting the ban on media having access to health institutions.
He wants the media to expose deficiencies in the health system with the hope that this would lead to improvement. Khan said last weekend he had received reports about “attitudes” and problems in the nation’s hospitals and he would meet with the regional health authorities (RHA) to consider lifting the ban on media entering public health institutions.
The former administration introduced the Regional Health Authority (Conduct) Regulations 2008, which included a clause prohibiting health workers from talking to media without authorisation. The regulations were drafted to govern public officers after they were transferred to the RHAs. Media have been told that the chairmen and chief executive officers of RHAs are authorised to speak for the organisation.
Responding to questions from media after the opening of the orientation programme at Crowne Plaza, Port-of-Spain for health care professionals from Cuba, Khan said, “You (media) will be able to look at the negatives, report them and at the same time don’t sensationalise them. Interview the people responsible for non-maintenance, indifferent attitudes, hostile security behaviour to our patients and their relatives. In doing so I do hope we will be able to upgrade our health system to a manner that is going to be excellent.”
Khan said he had to speak to ministry and RHA personnel to come up with a policy. He said the privacy of patients who do not want media coverage must be protected. “You will be allowed to interview (anyone) you so desire but keeping the privacy of the patients which is the most important part of it. In doing so you will be helping me by putting people on the radar so they will have to do their jobs better.”
Asked about the regulations which restrict medical personnel speaking to media and whether these would be amended, Khan said the regulations could be changed and this was why a policy had to be developed.
Newsday
Former Antigua PM says “no” to scrapping LIAT
Former Prime Minister Lester Bird has rejected the suggestion by the Vincentian leader for LIAT to be scrapped and replaced with a new airline.
Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines and head of LIAT shareholder governments, made the recommendation last week following three days of industrial action by pilots.
However, Bird, the Political Leader of the main opposition Antigua Labour Party (ALP) said, “The solution to a labour dispute cannot be the creation of a new legal entity. Prime Minister Gonsalves’ proposal does not address the issue and further complicates the finding of a reasonable solution in quick time.”
The former Prime Minister insisted that any solution to the ongoing industrial dispute lies with the airline management.
He urged the government to also involve the ALP in discussions on the future of LIAT since his party assisted the Antigua-based airline several times while it was in office.
“The ALP calls on Mr. Spencer to include Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition in any consultation and decision-making that pertains to LIAT. The ALP insists on consultations that will include all stakeholders, in search of a quick solution,” Bird said in a statement.
“LIAT must not and cannot be allowed to deteriorate through stubborn and unbending decisions that will continue to inflict serious damage on the carrier, and hurt the island-countries that are dependent upon LIAT.”
Labour Minister Dr Errol Cort is mediating in the dispute that was caused by last week Monday’s sacking of veteran pilot, Captain Michael Blackburn, Chairman of the pilot’s union.
The negotiations are expected to continue today.
Caribbean 360 News
Ballot box break-in threatens talks between Guyana political parties
The discovery of a break-in of three containers holding ballot boxes is threatening to undermine parliamentary partnership talks between the country’s main political parties.
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) said this and other evidence points to a clear conspiracy to “cheat the PPP/C of a clear parliamentary majority.”
The ruling party had initiated talks with the opposition coalition group, A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance for Change after its 32-seat win in the November 28 general election left it without a majority in the 65-seat National Assembly.
President Donald Ramotar said the discussions were aimed at arriving at a consensus on the way forward.
“I can promise you that I would do my best to make this new arrangement work; and very, very soon we will have indications if I will have partners at the other side as we push our country forward,” he said.
The PPP/C is now accusing some political elements, which it did not identify, of using military-type planning and operation to frustrate and undermine the democratic process in Guyana.
The party said it is “flabbergasted by the on-going efforts by certain forces to interfere with the integrity of the 2011 elections material and vital evidence should there be either a recount or even a forensic audit, which the party is advocating.”
“… The PPP/C has always maintained that it remains unopposed to a total or partial recount of the ballots given our firm view that there was orchestrated misconduct at several polling station and divisions.
“It must be noted that the PPP/C was prevailed upon to withdraw its request for partial recount as the opposition had claimed that would delay the announcement of the preliminary results. This request was made by the PPP/C in light of certain facts and activities that took place and affected votes which were cast for the PPP/C.”
The ruling party said it expects the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and law enforcement authorities to move resolutely in apprehending those involved.
GECOM has not yet issued a statement on the matter.
Caribbean 360 News